It is nicknamed the “341 hearing” because it falls under Section 341 of the Bankruptcy Code.

If you file bankruptcy in Orlando, Deltona, Kissimmee, and most of Central Florida, your meeting will take place in downtown Orlando. You will be meeting with a Trustee and not a judge so the meeting is more informal than what you would expect. Nevertheless, it is an important part of the bankruptcy process that one should not take lightly.

A Trustee swears in the debtor and conducts the meeting. In Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcies, trustees are selected by the court because of their academic or work experience. In Orlando, we have good natured, respectful, but very thorough Trustees. They have been known to ask questions regarding something out of left field that you did not think would matter. That is why it is absolutely vital your bankruptcy attorney gives you all the information and advice you need to be thoroughly prepared for the 341 bankruptcy meeting. In Chapter 13 (consumer reorganization) case, the Trustee makes sure that the debtor complies with the bankruptcy plan and makes regular payments to their creditors. In a Chapter 7 bankruptcy (a liquidation), the Trustee oversees liquidation and makes payment to creditors. In most cases, there are no assets.